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Events

West Philly weekend

February 11, 2011

Here are some things going on this weekend. For more, check the Happenings page:

Fun-A-Day Art Show • Friday 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. & 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. • Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave.) • Free admission

The Seventh Annual Fun-A-Day Art Show presents an eclectic array of art your friends and neighbors made every day for the month of January. Also featuring performances, food and refreshments. Don’t forget to bring your kids. On Saturday don’t miss an open mic reading event (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and the main show (7 p.m. to 11 p.m.).

Mariposa Food Co-op Flea Market • Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • New Mariposa building (4824 Baltimore Ave.) • Free admission

mariposa

Vendors will be showing off their: hand-made jewelry, baked goods, new-to-you clothes, books, records, services, pottery, pet treats, and artworks. You can also meet some local body workers and get a sample of their skills at the market. And while you are at the market, check out the Mariposa tables. You can talk to a representative about the expansion, see the plans and learn how you can make a financial contribution to the expansion.

30th Annual Chinese New Year CelebrationPenn Museum (3260 South St.)

pennThe celebration features music and dance performances, healing and martial arts demonstrations, games, workshops, children’s activities, and grand opening as well as grand finale lion dance performances. The celebration is free with Museum admission donation ($10 general admission; $7 senior citizens [65+]; $6 students [with ID] and children [6 to 17]; free for children under 6, members, and PennCard holders). See the complete schedule of events here.

Great Expectations • 8 p.m. • Curio Theatre • 815 S. 48th St. • Tickets $10 to $15

The Dickens classic opens tonight at the Curio. There is also a Saturday performance at 8 p.m.

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Girls Rock West Philly

February 8, 2011

musicThis is a very cool event going on in the neighborhood tonight. First, author Sara Marcus will read from her book Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution at the Kelly Writers House (3805 Locust Walk on the Penn campus) at 6 p.m. The book explores the Riot Grrl movement, which started in the mid 1990s and has taken root in a number of cities in the form of female empowerment efforts.

In Philadelphia, those efforts include Girls Rock Philly, a rock & empowerment camp where girls ages 9-17 learn instruments, write songs & form their own bands. The founder of that group, Beth Warshaw-Duncan, will join Marcus, Kathleen Hanna (the front woman of the pivotal Riot Grrl band Bikini Kill) and activist/musician Katy Otto for a panel discussion on topics ranging from the panelists’ own participation in the movement to “what women in music can and should be doing today.” Copies of Marcus’ book will also be available at the discussion.

Then it’s time to rock. A  concert will follow the discussion nearby at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) beginning at 8 p.m. The benefit show for Girls Rock Philly will feature Trophy Wife, Whore Paint (Providence), Slutever and Cat Vet. Suggested donation is $5. All proceeds go to Girls Rock Philly.

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West Philly Weekend

January 21, 2011

Here are a few things plucked from a full slate of weekend activities on the left bank. If we missed something that you are dying to tell us about, write editor – at – westphillylocal.com.

Friday, January 21

Taxing Carbon: The Simple Solution to the Climate CrisisTabernacle United Church • 3700 Chestnut St. • 7 p.m.

Charles Komanoff, a widely known for his work as an energy-policy analyst, transport economist and environmental activist in New York City will talk.

Saturday, January 22

Clark Park Farmer’s Market • Don’t forget that it’s open in the winter too • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

African Cultures DayPenn Museum • 3260 South Street • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. • Free with museum donation ($10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for kids)

The program highlights include a performance by Penn’s African Rhythms Student Dance Troupe, music by the Women’s Sekere Ensemble, traditional African storytelling by Momma Sandi, neo-African drum and dance from LaSalle, a folkore workshop with Queen Nur, games, crafts, food, etc.

Sonic Liberation Front meets Bobby Zankel and the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound • The Rotunda • 4014 Walnut St. • 8 p.m. • FREE

Sonic Liberation Front is an afro-futuristic creative music ensemble. Its members are a who’s who of Philly’s finest genre-bending improvisers, composers and folkloric musicians (and sometimes dancers).  Bobby Zankel leads an innovative jazz outfit. The Boston Phoenix wrote that Zankel “deserves any Talent Deserving Wider Recognition Award that the Jazz Press might offer.”

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Prepare for Death Bi Chocolate

January 7, 2011

Brace yourselves. Death Bi Chocolate, the annual bake sale fundraiser for BiUnity, is this Saturday afternoon at A-Space (4722 Baltimore Ave.). If any of your New Year’s resolutions involve stopping or cutting down on your chocolate intake, then you need to put them hold for a day. This is worth it.

Death Bi Chocolate features large and small quantities of chocolate for sale in a variety of forms. Friendly folks will also be playing board games during the sale that are open to anyone. The sale runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

BiUnity is a social and support network for bisexual people, their family and friends. The all-volunteer organization has monthly discussion groups and events, including a movie night.

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A drop of golden sun at World Cafe Live

January 1, 2011

If when we say “ti,” you think “a drink with jam and bread,” then we may have something for you. World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St.) is hosting two sing-along screenings of Sound of Music today. Yes, it’s Julie Andrews and cast in a Rocky Horror Picture Show-like interactive film extravaganza complete with costumes and stage performance. Watch the video below to get a feel for this thing. And be warned; this might be the whitest thing you ever do.

There are two show times. The kid-friendly show begins at noon. Tickets are $10 for kids and $12 for adults. An all-you-can-eat, kid-friendly buffet is also available for $7 for kids and $10 for adults.

A second, dinnertime show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17-$22 and dinner is available. You can save a couple of bucks if you pay for tickets in cash at the box office.

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Pecha Kucha, acupuncture, beer and brunch: New Year’s Day in West Philly

December 31, 2010

Mummers don’t float your boat? There are alternatives on New Year’s Day if you are looking for something to do a little closer to home. Here are a few things to do on 1X4 (1-1-11).

Philadelphia’s seventh Pecha Kucha night will be held at Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave.) Jan. 1 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Japanese word for “chit-chat,” Pecha Kucha (peh-CHAK-cha) nights involve lightening quick presentations by innovators, thinkers and all around interesting folks. The rules are simple. Wired magazine summed them up well: “Say what you need to say in six minutes and 40 seconds of exquisitely matched words and images and then sit the hell down.” Basically, you get 20 slides, 20 seconds each.

According to organizers, Vol. 7 will feature talks about girls who rock, podcasts about Philly, goats that groom urban spaces, and more! The suggested donation for the night is $5.

• One way to work off the hangover blues is to share your pain. One place to do that on New Year’s Day is Local 44 (44th and Spruce Streets), our friendly neighborhood pub, which is celebrating its second anniversary (yep, they opened Jan. 1, 2009) with a day-long brunch. They will have fare for veggie and meat lovers alike and a lengthy anniversary draft list.

• Perhaps the best way to get your mind and body right is with some good old fashioned acupuncture.  Philadelphia Community Acupuncture (50th and Baltimore, above Dock Street) is open both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. They offer affordable acupuncture on a sliding scale.

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